Dell Vostro A180 User Manual

Dell™ Vostro™ A100/A180

Setup and

Quick Reference Guide

This guide provides a features overview, specifications, and quick setup,

software, and troubleshooting information for your computer. For more

information about your operating system, devices, and technologies, see

Dell Technology Guide

the

at support.dell.com.

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are not applicable.

Macrovision Product Notice

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

__________________

Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Vost ro, and MediaDirect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned

by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Intel, Pentium, Core, and Celeron are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries; Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and the Windows Vista start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model DCMTLF

July 2008 P/N U792G Rev. A00

Contents

About Your Computer. . . . . . . . 7

Front View

Back View

Back Panel Connectors

Vostro A100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Vostro A180. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

. . . . . . . 9

Setting Up Your Computer . . . . 11

Quick Setup

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connecting to the Internet

. . . . . 15

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System

. . . . . . . . . . . . 17

. . . . . . . . . . 17

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Troubleshooting

To ol s

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Power Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Beep Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

. . . . . . . . . . 31

Contents

Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . 34

System Messages . . . . . . . . . 40

Troubleshooting Software and Hardware Problems

. . . . . . . . 42

Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . 42

Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . 45

Power Problems . . . . . . . . . . 45

Memory Problems

. . . . . . . . . 46

Lockups and Software Problems

Dell Technical Update Service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . 49

Reinstalling Software . . . . . . . 51

Drivers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Identifying Drivers . . . . . . . . . 51

Reinstalling Drivers and

Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Restoring Your Operating System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Using Microsoft® Windows® System Restore

. . . . . . . . . . . 54

Using Dell™ Factory Image

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Restore

Using the Operating System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Media

Finding Information . . . . . . . . 59

Getting Help

Obtaining Assistance

Technical Support and Customer Service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Online Services. . . . . . . . . . . 64

AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . 65

Automated Order-Status Service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Problems With Your Order . . . . . 66

Contents

Product Information

. . . . . . . . . 66

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Before You Call

Contacting Dell

Index

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

. . . . . . . . . . . 66

. . . . . . . . . . . . 67

. . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Contents

About Your Computer

Front View

About Your Computer

4 5

1 optical drive 2 optical-drive eject

3 optional optical drive

bay

5 microphone

connector

7 power button, power

light

button

4 USB 2.0 connectors (2)

6 headphone connector

8 drive-activity light

About Your Computer

Back View

1 power connector 2 voltage selector switch

(optional)

3 power supply light 4 back-panel connectors

5 expansion card slots 6 padlock ring

NOTE: The serial and parallel connectors are available only in Vostro™ A180.

Back Panel Connectors

Vostro A100

About Your Computer

1 mouse connector 2 link-integrity light

3 network adapter

connector

5 line-in connector 6 front line-out connector

7 microphone

connector

9 VGA video connector 10 keyboard connector

4 network-activity light

8 USB 2.0 connectors (4)

About Your Computer

Vostro A180

1 mouse connector 2 parallel connector

3 network activity light 4 network adapter

5 link-integrity light 6 line-in connector

7 front line-out

connector

9 USB 2.0 connectors (4) 10 VGA video connector

11 serial connector 12 keyboard connector

connector

8 microphone connector

Setting Up Your Computer

Quick Setup

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the

procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

NOTE: Some devices may not be included if

you did not order them.

1 Connect the monitor using only one of the

following cables: the dual monitor Y-adapter cable, the white DVI cable, or the blue VGA cable.

Setting Up Your Computer

2 Connect a USB device, such as a keyboard

or mouse.

3 Connect the network cable.

4 Connect the modem.

5 Connect the power cable(s).

6 Press the power buttons on the monitor and

the computer.

7 Connect to your network.

Setting Up Your Computer

1 Internet service 2 cable or DSL modem

3 wireless router 4 desktop computer

5 desktop computer

with USB wireless adapter

with network adapter

6 USB wireless adapter

Setting Up Your Computer

Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure

Installing your computer in an enclosure can restrict the airflow and impact your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat. Follow the guidelines below when installing your computer in an enclosure.

CAUTION: Before installing your computer

in an enclosure, read the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

NOTICE: The operating temperature

specifications indicated in this document reflects the maximum ambient operating temperature. The room ambient temperature needs to be a consideration when you install your computer in an enclosure. For example, if the ambient room temperature is at 25°C (77°F), depending on your computer’s specifications, you only have 5° to 10°C (9° to 18°F) temperature margin before you reach

your computer’s maximum operating temperature. For details about your computer’s specifications, see "Specifications" on page 19.

• Leave a 10.2-cm (4-inch) minimum clearance on all sides of the computer that have air vents to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

• If your enclosure has doors, the doors need to be of a type that allows at least a 30-percent airflow through the enclosure at the front and at the back.

NOTICE: Do not install your computer in an

enclosure that does not allow airflow. Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat.

• If your computer is installed in a corner on a desk or under a desk, leave at least 5.1-cm (2-inch) clearance from the back of the computer to the wall to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.

Setting Up Your Computer

Connecting to the Internet

NOTE: ISPs and ISP offerings vary by

country.

To connect to the Internet, you need a modem or network connection and an Internet service provider (ISP). If you are using a dial-up connection, connect a telephone line to the modem connector on your computer and to the telephone wall connector before you set up your Internet

Setting Up Your Computer

connection. If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite modem connection, contact your ISP or cellular

phone service for setup instructions.

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

To set up an Internet connection with a desktop shortcut provided by your ISP:

1 Save and close any open files, and exit any

open programs.

2 Double-click the ISP icon on the Microsoft

Windows

3 Follow the instructions on the screen to

complete the setup.

If you do not have an ISP icon on your desktop or if you want to set up an Internet connection with a different ISP, perform the steps in the appropriate section below.

desktop.

NOTE: If you cannot connect to the Internet,

see the Dell Technology Guide available on your hard drive or on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. If you have

successfully connected in the past, the ISP might have a service outage. Contact your ISP to check the service status, or try connecting again later.

NOTE: Have your ISP information ready. If

you do not have an ISP, consult the Connect to the Internet wizard.

Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System

1 Save and close any open files, and exit any

open programs.

2 Click the Windows Vista Start button →

Control Panel.

3 Under Network and Internet, click Connect

to the Internet.

Setting Up Your Computer

4 In the Connect to the Internet window, click

either Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-up, depending on how you want to connect:

• Choose Broadband if you will use a

DSL, satellite modem, cable TV modem, or Bluetooth connection.

• Chose Dial-up if you will use a dial-up

modem or ISDN.

wireless technology

NOTE: If you do not know which type of

connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP.

5 Follow the instructions on the screen and

use the setup information provided by your ISP to complete the setup.

Transferring Information to a New Computer

Microsoft® Windows Vista® Operating System

1 Click the Windows Vista Start button ,

and then click Transfer files and settings→ Start Windows Easy Transfer.

2 In the User Account Control dialog box, click

Continue.

3 Click Start a new transfer or Continue a

transfer in progress.

4 Follow the instructions provided on the

screen by the Windows Easy Transfer wizard.

Setting Up Your Computer

Specifications

NOTE: Offerings may vary by region. For more information regarding the configuration of your

computer, click Start→ Help and Support and select the option to view information about your computer.

Processor

Processor type Intel

Level 2 (L2) cache 512 KB for Intel Atom, Intel Celeron Dual-Core, and Intel Celeron processors

System Information

Chipset Intel 945GC and ICH7 Intel G31 and ICH7

DMA channels seven seven

Atom™ processor

Intel Pentium

Intel Celeron

Intel Celeron processor

1 MB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Dual-Core processor

Specifications

System Information (Continued)

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Interrupt levels 24 24

BIOS chip (NVRAM) 4 Mb 8 Mb

NIC integrated network interface capable

of 10/100 communication

integrated network interface capable of 10/100 communication

Memory

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Type 533 MHz 667/800 MHz

Memory connectors one two

Memory capacities 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB

Minimum memory 512 MB 512 MB

Maximum memory 2 GB 4 GB

Specifications

Video

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Type:

Integrated Intel integrated video GMA 950

up to 256-MB video memory (shared)

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100

at total system memory of greater than 512 MB

Discrete N/A optional PCI Express x16 graphics

card (up to 25 W)

Audio

Type Intel High Definition Audio

Specifications

Expansion Bus

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Bus type PCI 2.3

SATA 1.0 and 2.0 USB 2.0

PCI 2.3 PCI Express 1.0A SATA 1.0 and 2.0 USB 2.0

Bus speed 133 MB/s (PCI)

1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps (SATA)

480-Mbps high speed, 12-Mbps full speed, 1.2-Mbps low speed (USB)

133 MB/s (PCI)

x1-slot bidirectional speed — 500 MB/ s (PCI Express)

x16-slot bidirectional speed — 8 GB/s (PCI Express)

1.5 Gbps and 3.0 Gbps (SATA)

480-Mbps high speed, 12-Mbps full speed, 1.2-Mbps low speed (USB)

PCI one two

connector size

connector data width

124 pins 124 pins

32 bits 32 bits

(maximum)

Specifications

Expansion Bus (Continued)

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

PCI Express x1 N/A one

connector size

connector data width

N/A 36 pins

N/A 1 PCI Express lane

(maximum)

PCI Express x16 N/A one

connector size

connector data width

N/A 164 pins

N/A 16 PCI Express lanes

(maximum)

Drives

Vostro A100 Vostro A180

Externally accessible: two 3.5-inch drive bays two 3.5-inch drive bays

Internally accessible four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays four 3.5-inch SATA drive bays

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